On the whole, I'm a great admirer of James Lee Burke. Few crime authors have his consumate skill. Having once read two of his novels back to back, I now try and pace myself more. There is a tendency for them to get a bit samey. In this case, it's a while since I read him and perhaps because of that I was able to truly savour this gem of a book. As with all of his best work, it is densely plotted. The characters are beautifully drawn - as is the environment into which he places them. Intriguing to the last page. Quality entertainment with literary flair. On a slightly silly note, I had wondered how long it would be into the novel before he used the word "fecund". In this case, page 386! Apart from D.H. Lawrence, I've never heard any other author use it. But James Lee Burke uses it in EVERY novel. Is it meant to be a signature??? In conclusion, I'd highly recommend the book. I'd recommend you read all his books, actually. He's a master of the genre.